Ordered a bunch of tubes to try in the Lonestar...

[madryan]

I called Dougs tubes whom I buy nearly all my tubes from and ordered a matched quartet of EL-34's and a matched quartet of 6V6's to try in the Lonestar... They should be here early this week...

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. I love tinkering with stuff.

 

[Charles Reeder]

Have fun tinkering? The LSC is certainly the source of a lot of tube-switching fun for me.
Wanna try something both fun and different? Get a pair of THD Yellow-Jackets (with EL84s) and put them in the inside 2 power tube sockets; put a pair of those 6V6s in the outside 2 power tube sockets. Plug your 8-ohm speaker into the 4-ohm jack. Set both channels for 100-watt. Try either 'tweed' or 'normal' on position.

Really indescribably beautiful tone that is rich in complex harmonics and shimmer!

 

[MasterTrax]

Man....you Lone Star guys gotta cut it out with the tube-tinkering. You're giving me LS GAS.

Hmmm...a black LSC 2x12 with a 2x12 ext. cab.....OMG....

Stop it! Stop it!!!! :evil: :evil:

 

[rvschulz]

what about the pre-amp tubes ...

 

[madryan]

For Preamp tubes I have a Tung Sol in V1 with Penta labs 9th gen Chinese in the rest of the pre.

 

[Charles Reeder]

Hey RV:

About pre-amp tubes? Well...I found that the first 2 positions (V1 & V2) do respond pretty well to 'fiddling' with the tubes.

I had a hew 'Bugle Boys' and Mullards' on hand that I lucked into; But after some swapping around I ended up keeping those reserved for amps that 'needed more help'.

Right now I'm running a Shuaghang (spelling?) high gain 12AX7 in V1, I alternate an Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 and a JJ 12AX7 (the EH is brighter) in V2, and EHs in V3, V4 & V5 (usually). That's not too 'creative' or daring is it?!

Truth is... to me in the case of the LS; I've achieved far more dramatic results with the 'mod' I did to channel-2; and the various power-tube options I use; than I got with substituting different preamp tubes. I suppose some people might think this points to a 'shortcoming' in the design of the preamp...I think it points to just the opposite. I think the design is so inherently good that the preamp sounds great with just about anything you shove in it!

This is not to say that putting some really good NOS tubes in it won't make a discernible difference...I'm sure a difference will be heard...I'm merely saying that you can get such a great sound with the easily available (and cheap) new production stuff that you DON'T NEED to go the NOS route to get great tone. If anyone has any really favorite preamp tube (either NOS or current production); I think V2 is where to put it...and I think they will hear a difference...and like it.

Regards: Charles

 

[cb101]

I agree with Charles completely. I've tried all sorts of pre tubes in every position with little or no change. The amp sounds great will just about anything in it. Great design. Oh, by the way Charles, I did the mod and played around with it for two days and found I liked it in the original configuration better and changed it back. I guess I just liked the differences in the channels.

 

[Charles Reeder]

I agree with Charles completely. I've tried all sorts of pre tubes in every position with little or no change. The amp sounds great will just about anything in it. Great design. Oh, by the way Charles, I did the mod and played around with it for two days and found I liked it in the original configuration better and changed it back. I guess I just liked the differences in the channels.

Hi cb101:

Regarding the pre-amp tubes: Yep...a great design has few 'extremes' or 'flaws; that need 'correcting' or 'de-emphasis' through a pre-amp tube change.

Regarding the Channel-2 'Mod'. I appreciate your honesty AND the fact that you had enough 'daring' to try it. Even though you preferred it as it was originally....it still proves something...that the difference is 'radical enough' for you to have gone to the bother of 'changing it back'!

I actually did find a few settings I could use as the amp was originally...I just found many more I liked with the 'mod'. But if I could 'have my cake and eat it too' I'd really like it if there was a 'voicing switch' I could flip to access either!

You might be surprised that I would say this...but I actually encourage you to post your findings and preference (preferably on the thread I started); ...with a big emphasis on 'why' you preferred the amp as it was.

I feel that this would serve both the people who would ultimately prefer the 'mod'...and those (like you) who would prefer the original sound. So far we've only heard conjecture from those who HAVEN'T done the 'mod' ...AND...glowing reports from those like me who have done the 'mod' and prefer the 'modded sound'.

I think the 'balance' that your testimony might provide; would serve both 'camps' well.

Regards: Charles

 

[madryan]

Personally I love channel 2 as is.

 

[Charles Reeder]

Personally I love channel 2 as is.

Hey:

That's why I encouraged 'cb101' to post his impressions of the 'mod'. (Which he has done...BTW) I think his experience can serve a very valuable service for both those who will be happier with the sound with the 'mod' and for those who will like the amp better left as it is.

He told of some tone issues which may 'resonate' well with others who might really prefer the sound of the amp 'as is' without the 'mods'. His words may save some of them from going to the 'trouble', the possible expense, and yes, even the 'danger' of doing the 'mod'.

On the other hand; his description of the 'tone differences' were really 'spot on'. So his post may actually help those who will benefit most from the 'mod' to decide to give it a try.

Either way; I think the posting by'cb101' will help one group avoid an unnecessary (for them) modification; and encourage another group to quit dawdling and get on with a 'mod' which will bring them closer to the tone they seek.

Charles